Showing off reconstructed breasts after breast cancer

I know it seems strange, but I’ve become a “flasher” for breast cancer. Almost every day, each place I go; the gym, a women’s restroom, friend’s home, clothing store, I disrobe for people I would not normally strip for. I want them to see my new nipples and flat tummy. I know, I know, it’s odd. But hear me out. I just want to tell women that if you know someone who has breast cancer or are afraid of getting it yourself, you can have a double mastectomy and still have amazing breasts (made from your stomach), a flat tummy and relatively normal-looking nipples!

In fact, I took it too far the other evening when having dinner (in a private home of a close friend). And when someone asked to see my results six weeks post-op, I flipped off my top before it was even possible for my other friend to tell me that she didn’t even like to look at mosquito bites. “There isn’t even any blood,” I laughed. “And your dad is an OB/GYN!” I didn’t know she was surgery-viewing averse.

Plus, I want to promote my amazing surgeons, Dr. Jane Kakkis and Dr. Mark Kobayashi. I want everyone who has to go through this disease to know that it’s possible to get excellent care, be happy with your results and have doctors treat you like they would their own family. In fact, I undress for “real” strangers most often at the doctor’s office. It seems that every time I am there, a newly diagnosed woman is waiting in the lobby to hear her horrible fate. And the doctor and nurse come in and ask if I would show a woman my new breasts. Of course, I always say okay, but the last woman asked to touch them! I was even proud to do that. My reconstruction feels like real tissue and real breasts – it’s warm like normal skin, and I have grown into my humpty dumpty body so well that it feels like it has always been this way – okay, that might be an exaggeration!

It’s funny because going back six years ago, I wouldn’t even let anyone see my head without my wig when I lost all my hair to chemotherapy (even close friends and family), yet I have no qualms about people seeing my reconstructed breasts.

I guess what this is really about is demanding (or asking politely) for excellent medical care and getting it. It would be my wish that for everyone who wanted or needed it, medical care would at least meet some very high standards, or in my case, exceed it in every way. Thanks to all of you who read this and especially to all of you who have cared for me in one way or another through this ordeal.

Get the latest health updates

Thanks for signing up!

Oops!

A system error was encountered. Please try again later.

Follow us on your favorite social network!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzette Lipscomb

Suzette Lipscomb has done the cancer dance twice in her young life. Originally diagnosed with an aggressive form of invasive ductal breast cancer at 36, she endured six long months of chemotherapy and then...read more